Vatican Engages China in Discussions on Ukraine Peace
Cardinal Zuppi from the Vatican has engaged in discussions with China's top diplomat, Li Hui, regarding the ongoing situation in Ukraine. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Moscow has stated that peace talks cannot occur while Kiev continues its attacks on the Kursk Region of Russia.
This week, two prominent advocates for a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine conflict, The Vatican and China, engaged in discussions. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi had a phone conversation with Beijing’s special representative for Eurasian affairs, Li Hui, on Wednesday, as reported by the Holy See's official newspaper. This dialogue takes place amid ongoing assaults by Kiev's forces against civilians in Russia's Kursk Region.
Cardinal Zuppi, who previously led a peace mission for Ukraine in 2022, and the Chinese diplomat emphasized the importance of “fostering dialogue” among the conflict’s parties. They also called for “adequate international guarantees for a just and lasting peace,” according to Vatican News on Thursday.
In June and July of 2023, Cardinal Zuppi traveled to Kiev, Moscow, and Washington, and he visited Beijing in September.
“Li Hui appreciates the Vatican’s constant efforts to mediate the Ukraine crisis and provide humanitarian assistance,” as quoted by the South China Morning Post from the Chinese foreign ministry. The statement highlighted that “the current situation shows the significance” of a six-point plan proposed by China and Brazil, which includes a call for a ceasefire and a negotiated resolution to the conflict.
In recent months, Pope Francis has intensified efforts to end the Ukraine conflict. Last month, the Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, visited Ukraine and met the country's leadership. Following this visit, Parolin urged for Russia's inclusion in peace negotiations and remarked that Kiev’s ‘peace formula’ advocated by President Vladimir Zelensky was “not enough.”
Zelensky’s ‘peace formula,’ outlined in November 2022, demands, among other things, Russia's withdrawal from all territories claimed by Ukraine. Moscow has dismissed this formula as unrealistic. The plan was a key topic at an international peace conference in Switzerland in June, where Russia was not invited.
China has consistently maintained that the dispute between Moscow and Kiev should be resolved through negotiations. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba visited China for three days in July, and after discussions, Beijing conveyed that Kiev was prepared to engage in dialogue and negotiations with Moscow.
Previously, Russian leaders expressed skepticism regarding Ukraine's commitment to peace talks. Last week, Kiev launched an attack on Russia’s Kursk Region, marking the largest cross-border assault since the conflict began. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that engaging in peace talks with those who “conduct indiscriminate strikes on civilians” and civilian infrastructure is impossible.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
This week, two prominent advocates for a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine conflict, The Vatican and China, engaged in discussions. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi had a phone conversation with Beijing’s special representative for Eurasian affairs, Li Hui, on Wednesday, as reported by the Holy See's official newspaper. This dialogue takes place amid ongoing assaults by Kiev's forces against civilians in Russia's Kursk Region.
Cardinal Zuppi, who previously led a peace mission for Ukraine in 2022, and the Chinese diplomat emphasized the importance of “fostering dialogue” among the conflict’s parties. They also called for “adequate international guarantees for a just and lasting peace,” according to Vatican News on Thursday.
In June and July of 2023, Cardinal Zuppi traveled to Kiev, Moscow, and Washington, and he visited Beijing in September.
“Li Hui appreciates the Vatican’s constant efforts to mediate the Ukraine crisis and provide humanitarian assistance,” as quoted by the South China Morning Post from the Chinese foreign ministry. The statement highlighted that “the current situation shows the significance” of a six-point plan proposed by China and Brazil, which includes a call for a ceasefire and a negotiated resolution to the conflict.
In recent months, Pope Francis has intensified efforts to end the Ukraine conflict. Last month, the Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, visited Ukraine and met the country's leadership. Following this visit, Parolin urged for Russia's inclusion in peace negotiations and remarked that Kiev’s ‘peace formula’ advocated by President Vladimir Zelensky was “not enough.”
Zelensky’s ‘peace formula,’ outlined in November 2022, demands, among other things, Russia's withdrawal from all territories claimed by Ukraine. Moscow has dismissed this formula as unrealistic. The plan was a key topic at an international peace conference in Switzerland in June, where Russia was not invited.
China has consistently maintained that the dispute between Moscow and Kiev should be resolved through negotiations. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba visited China for three days in July, and after discussions, Beijing conveyed that Kiev was prepared to engage in dialogue and negotiations with Moscow.
Previously, Russian leaders expressed skepticism regarding Ukraine's commitment to peace talks. Last week, Kiev launched an attack on Russia’s Kursk Region, marking the largest cross-border assault since the conflict began. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that engaging in peace talks with those who “conduct indiscriminate strikes on civilians” and civilian infrastructure is impossible.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
